Educational materials developed through the Howard County History Labs Program, a partnership between the Howard County

Public School
System and the UMBC Center for History Education.

Resource Sheet #03

Document A – Excerpts of Letters Written by George Washington

in Response to Shays’ Rebellion

To Henry Lee, October 31, 1786

“the accounts which are published of the commotions [disturbances]. . . exhibit a melancholy
[sad] proof of what our trans-Atlantic foe [England] has predicted; and of another thing
perhaps, which is still more to be regretted [sorry about], and is yet more unaccountable
[strange], that mankind when left to themselves are unfit [incapable] for their own
Government. I am mortified [embarrassed] beyond expression when I view the clouds that have
spread over the brightest morn [morning] that ever dawned upon any Country. . . To be more
exposed [visible in a bad way] in the eyes of the world, and more contemptible [disgraceful]
than we already are, is hardly possible.”

Source: Washington, George To Henry Lee, October 31, 1786. The George Washington Papers at the Library of Congress, 1741-
1799. American Memory, Library of Congress. Washington, D.C. Accessed 8/5/14. http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-
bin/query/r?ammem/mgw:@field(DOCID+@lit(gw290026))

To David Humphreys, October 22, 1786

“commotions [disturbances] of this sort, like snow-balls, gather strength as they roll, if there is
no opposition [obstacle] in the way to divide and crumble them. . . I am mortified
[embarrassed] beyond expression that in the moment of our acknowledged [accepted]
independence we should by our conduct [behavior] verify [prove correct] the predictions of our
transatlantic foe [England], and render [make] ourselves ridiculous and contemptible
[disgraceful] in the eyes of all Europe.”

Source: Washington, George to David Humphreys, October 22, 1786. The George Washington Papers at the Library of
Congress, 1741-1799. American Memory, Library of Congress. Washington, D.C. Accessed 8/5/14. http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-
bin/ampage?collId=mgw2&fileName=gwpage013.db&recNum=200&tempFile=./temp/~ammem_5uqU&filecode=mgw&next_fil
ecode=mgw&itemnum=1&ndocs=100

To Henry Knox, February 3, 1787

“The moment is, indeed, important! – If government shrinks [backs away], or is unable to
enforce [carry out] its laws; fresh maneuvers [movements] will be displayed by the insurgents
[protestors] – anarchy [lawlessness] & confusion must prevail [win out] – and every thing will be
turned topsy turvey in that State; where it is not probable [likely] the mischiefs [troubles] will
terminate [end].”
“if three years ago any person had told me that at this day, I should see such a formidable
[dreadful] rebellion against the laws & constitutions of our own making as now appears I should
have thought him a bedlamite - a fit subject for a mad house.”

Source: Washington, George to Henry Knox, February 3, 1787. Founders Online. National Archives and Records
Administration. Washington, D.C. Accessed 8/5/14. http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/04-05-02-0006
Educational materials developed through the Howard County History Labs Program, a partnership between the Howard County Public School
System and the UMBC Center for History Education.

Resource Sheet #04

Document B – Excerpts of Letters Written by Thomas Jefferson

in Response to Shays’ Rebellion

To William S. Smith, Paris, Nov. 13, 1787

What country can preserve [protect] its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that
their people preserve the spirit of resistance [opposition]? Let them take arms [weapons]. . . the tree of
liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots & tyrants [dictators].

Source: Jefferson, Thomas to William Smith, November 13, 1787. Library of Congress, Manuscript Division. Washington, D.C.
Accessed 8/6/14. http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/jefferson/105.html

To James Madison, Paris, Jan. 30, 1787

I am impatient to learn your sentiments [opinions] on the late troubles in the Eastern states… I hold it
that a little rebellion [revolution] now and then is a good thing, & as necessary in the political world as
storms in the physical. . . It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government.

Source: Jefferson, Thomas to James Madison, Jan, 30, 1787. Library of Congress, Manuscript Division. Washington, D.C.
Accessed 8/6/14. http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-
bin/ampage?collId=mjm&fileName=02/mjm02.db&recNum=860&itemLink=h?ammem/mjm:@field(DOCID+@lit(mjm012678))

To James Madison, Paris, Dec. 20, 1787

The late rebellion in Massachusetts has given more alarm than I think it should have done. Calculate
that one rebellion in 13 states in the course of 11 years, is but one for each state in a century & a half.
No country should be so long without one. Nor will any degree of power in the hands of government
prevent insurrections [revolutions]. France, with all its despotism [dictatorship], and two or three
hundred thousand men always in arms has had three insurrections in the three years I have been here in
every one of which greater numbers were engaged than in Massachusetts & a great deal more blood
was spilt.

rce: Jefferson, Thomas to James Madison, December 20, 1787. Thomas Jefferson Papers, Series 1, General Correspondence,
Sou

1651-1827. American Memory, Library of Congress. Washington, D.C. Accessed 8/6/14.

http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.mss/mtj.mtjbib003193

To Abigail Adams, Paris, Feb. 22, 1787

The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it to be always kept
alive. It will often be exercised when wrong, but better so than not to be exercised at all. I like a little
rebellion now and then. It is like a storm in the Atmosphere.

Source: Jefferson, Thomas to Abigail Adams, February 22, 1787. Thomas Jefferson Papers, Series 1, General Correspondence,
1651-1827. American Memory, Library of Congress. Washington, D.C. Accessed 8/6/14.
http://memory.loc.gov/master/mss/mtj/mtj1/006/1200/1251.jpg